Morning, Holy Church.
Click!
The black umbrella closed, shaking off a cascade of water droplets. A man in a black robe, with short black hair, as if dressed entirely in a single solemn colour, walked into the church. He approached the golden Servant sitting in the first row of the pews, leisurely twirling a cane.
When their eyes met, the golden Servant snorted coldly, while Kirei Kotomine smiled leisurely.
"I have reported my father's death to the church and identified the murderer as Sakatsuki, Caster's Master. At the same time, the church has acknowledged my succession to Father Risei's position as the second overseer of this war."
"Additionally, Berserker's death has been confirmed. Kariya Matou has left Fuyuki City and headed for the Zenjou residence."
Gilgamesh remained silent, but Kirei didn't mind, continuing with a sigh.
"What a pity. I had already sketched out the script in my mind, but the actors with flesh, blood, reason, and souls had escaped my grasp. Even the props I prepared for the stage have fled with the actors, left to rot uselessly in the ground."
Hearing this, Gilgamesh finally looked up, his blood-red eyes filled with undisguised mockery.
"Despite such a perfect opportunity, you let Tokiomi escape and even gave him a peaceful end... You're really disappointing me, Kirei Kotomine. I'm starting to doubt whether our contract can bring me any amusement."
In his hand, the silver-brown cane seemed unremarkable, completely mismatched with the extravagant king's temperament, more like an old man's possession.
But Kirei knew this was a Noble Phantasm, the original text of human wisdom.
At the same time, it was also a tool to break contracts. By snapping this cane, the holder's contract could be destroyed.
Perhaps inspired by Sakatsuki, Gilgamesh had used this Noble Phantasm last night to break his contract with Tokiomi, preventing the dying Tokiomi from using a Command Spell to drag Archer down with him.
And now, a day later, the cane was ready to be used again.
"Then, please accompany me once more, King of Heroes."
Kirei bowed without respect, his smile never fading.
"I guarantee you won't be disappointed this time."
***
Waver Velvet's hideout, the Mackenzie residence.
"So, what brings the church's second overseer to me?"
In the gloomy weather, Waver, enduring the soreness throughout his body, glared at Kirei Kotomine, the priest who claimed to represent the church.
He had rushed out upon hearing the two elderly residents fall, only to find that Kirei had merely hypnotized them, showing no malicious intent. But Waver couldn't relax.
Thanks to Sakatsuki's meddling, whether Assassin was truly dead remained a mystery. Moreover, Kirei's Command Spells were still intact, even flaunted openly by the priest.
Damn it, and Rider isn't here...
Waver kept his face tense, maintaining his composure while secretly calling Rider back through their contract.
His magical aptitude was too weak, and Rider's 'Ionioi Hetairoi' was a massive energy drain. After driving away Sakatsuki and the man who called himself 'Nameless,' he had sent Rider to the forest, the place where he had been summoned, to rest and recover his magical energy.
He had planned to meet Rider there this morning, but now, at this critical moment, Kirei had come knocking—
"As the overseer, I came to deliver a message... but it seems there's a more pressing issue to address."
Kirei glanced at Waver's empty hand, then asked in a solemn tone.
"Waver Velvet, if you are still a Master, please summon your Servant immediately."
Silence.
Waver lowered his gaze. It would take time for Rider to return, and he had to figure out how to respond to Kirei without showing weakness.
However, Waver didn't know that the priest had never expected an answer from him.
"Since you refuse to answer, I'll have to verify it my way."
His way?
What does that—
Waver's thoughts were cut short as a sharp pain shot through the back of his neck. In an instant, he collapsed, unconscious.
Kirei grabbed Waver by the neck like a chicken, then took out the silver-brown cane he had prepared earlier, placed it in Waver's hand, and snapped it.
The contract between Waver and Rider was shattered.
After completing this, Kirei slung the unconscious Waver over his shoulder, uttered a few words, and leapt out the window.
"The rest is up to you, King of Heroes."
"Interesting."
The golden king appeared, a sinister smile finally playing on his lips.
"As expected, I wasn't wrong about you. You do have talent, Kirei."
"Since the play has already begun, I'll reluctantly lend you a hand."
At that moment, thunder rumbled in the sky. The light rain turned into a downpour as if enraged by someone's fury. Gilgamesh stepped out of the house, the raindrops fearfully avoiding his noble form. He looked up, his crimson eyes reflecting the anxious face of the Conqueror.
"Why the hurry? Why not come down and share a drink with me, King of Conquerors!"
"King of Heroes!"
Iskandar glanced at Gilgamesh but quickly looked away.
"I have no time for pleasantries now. Do you know where my Master has gone? Or—"
He tightened the reins, letting the rain fall on him, his sharp eyes fixed on the smiling King of Heroes, his gaze hiding a storm of thunder.
"Was it you who took my Master, King of Heroes?"
"Your Master? Hahaha..."
Gilgamesh laughed mockingly, the Gate of Babylon opening behind him, countless Noble Phantasms shooting out like golden rain, aiming to bring down the thunderbolts streaking across the sky.
"What a joke! Can't you feel that Waver Velvet has severed his contract with you?"
"Then let me tell you, you pitiful, abandoned fool, King of Conquerors! Since Tokiomi was killed by that chef Sakatsuki, I've found a new contractor."
"He is now—my subject (Master)!"
Faced with Gilgamesh's enthusiastic declaration, Iskandar's pupils trembled, and he clenched the reins tightly!
Waver... chose to become Archer's Master?
No, impossible!
But the contract was indeed severed by Waver...
After a brief moment of confusion, Gilgamesh noticed Iskandar suddenly calm down, a smile of amusement creeping onto his lips.
"So, have you accepted reality, King of Conquerors?"
"Yes, I've accepted reality."
Iskandar spoke coldly, but his next words wiped the smile off Gilgamesh's face.
"It was you who kidnapped Waver and forcibly broke our contract, wasn't it? I never thought the great King of Heroes would resort to such underhanded tactics!"
With a roar, the King of Conquerors charged from the sky in his chariot, shouting the name of his Noble Phantasm
"Via Expugnatio!"
"You're asking for death, mongrel!"
Insulted and enraged, the golden Servant opened the Gate of Babylon wider, the golden rain of Noble Phantasms intercepting the thunderous charge like anti-aircraft fire.
"Don't question the bond between me and Waver, you heartless tyrant!"
"What did you—say!"
Boom!
Thunder mixed with the dust of explosions, the flames of battle rising into the sky, illuminating the dark, cloud-covered heavens.
12:28 PM.
Rider's Master, Waver Velvet, was kidnapped.
Kidnapper: Kirei Kotomine.
***
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